Electrical switch mechanism



Jan. l2, 1954 1 DAY 2,666,115

ELECTRICAL SWITCH MECHANI'SM Filed Feb. l5, 195C 2 Sheets-Sham'l l ATTORNEY Jan. l2, 1954 DAY ELECTRICAL SWITCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l5, 195C NNN: If

I N VEN TOR.

LESLIE DAY BY ATTORNEY Patented `an. 12', 149544' ELECTRICAL vSWITCH MECHANISM Leslie Day, Chicago, Ill., assigner of one-half to Lamar L. Day, St. George, Staten Island, N. Y.

Application February 15, 1950, Serial No. 144,356

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical switch mechanism for control systems of railroad trains and the like and is a continuation-in-part or" my copending application for Electrical Control Systems, Serial No. 772,489, iiled September 6, 1947, now Patent No. 2,629,047, February 17, 1953.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch of this character which is operable by both thermally responsive means and manually.

Another object olf the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein the thermally responsive means comprises a thermostat adapted to be placed in the journal box of a train unit for providing a control for the electrical system and said thermostat may be located in a chamber provided therefor in the brass of the bearing, or adjacent to the bearing when roller bearings are used in the journal box.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch of this character wherein the contacts are so constructed and arranged as to have a wiping action in order to remove any corrosion which may accumulate on said contacts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of this character which will operate within a suitable temperature range, as for example, a range from approximately 300 F. minimum to approximately 3509 F. maximum, and which will operate -within said range at both slow and fast rates of bearing heating.

A still further object of the invention is to Vprovide an arrangement of this character which may be easily tested and which will require very little in the way of inspection and maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device ci this character having improved means for entering the journal box with the electrical wiring, which will provide a more certain ground, and which may be easily installed, or replaced if damaged.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch of this character which may be easily and quickly attached to or removed from the brass of the journal.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view, partially in section, showing a journal box with a switch box, electrical conduit, fitting, and conduit leading into said journal box;

Fig. 2 is a top view or the brass of the bearing with the lugs thereof drilled to receive the thermostat element;

Fig. 3 is an outer end view of a journal box with a chambered brass mounted thereon;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of a lug of the brass showing the longitudinally extending grooves associated with the bore of said brass;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the journal with the brass mounted thereon;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged outer end view of a lug on the brass with the thermostat element and wire connections;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view, partially in section, of the brass showing a lug with a thermostat therein;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of an alternative type of thermostatic element;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line Ii-H of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line |2|2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an outer end view olf a lug on the brass showing another alternative type of thermostatic element;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the arrangement shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a sectional view, taken on line 5| 5 of Fig. 14.

Throughout the drawings, similar reference characters represent similar parts although where such parts are modiiied in structure or operation they are given a further differing reference character.

The present device has particular utility in the electrical control system of the copending application referred to above and includes a thermostat which will be more fully described hereinafter. The thermostat |60 controls a switch |62 having a movable lever` or Contact member |64 and a xed contact member |56, the lever |64 having a wire connection Il and the contact member lt having a wire connection i12. The Wire |10 may be grounded at |53 if desired.

A brass 200 is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 and is housed in journal box |96, said brass 2043 being located on the adjacent end portion of an axle 202 and provided with oppositely disposed lugs 204 having bores 206 extending longitudinally therein. The thermostat |60 is receivable in the bore 206 of either of the lugs so that the brass may be used for either the right hand or lelft hand journal box, but it is to be understood that there is contemplated but one thermostat |60 for each brass.

The wires and |12, connected to the thermostatic switch |62, are housed in a weather proof conduit, Fig. l, 'which includes a tube 20B, iitting 2 |2 and insulated cable 2 |4, of neoprene or the like, leading through the wall of the journal box and into a housing 226, Figs. 1 and '7, and through an oil proof packing Washer 300 of neoprene or the like. It is to be noted that the flexible cable 2|4 and wires |10 and |12 have some slack to provide for relative movement of the brass 200 and housing |96, as well as for facilitating installation or replacement of .the thermostatic switch unit.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, which show the thermostatic unit |60 and switch |62 controlled thereby, the thermostatic unit comprises a coiled metal element 2|6 disposed within a frame 2|1 having a plurality of longitudinally extending arms 2 |8 which are T-shaped in cross section. Op-positely disposed arms 2|8 are connected together at one end of the unit by integral members 220 Iwhich cross at said -end and are fastened together at the point of intersection by a rivet 222 or the like. The adjacent end of the element 2|6 is also secured to the crossed members by said rivet 222. The opposite ends of the arms 2|8 are secured to the adjacent wall 224 of housing 226 in which the switch |62 is located. ,f

The thermostat unit is disposed within the opening 206 in one of the lugs 204 of the brass with the frame arms 2|3 received in respective T- shaped grooves 228 of said opening, said grooves being radially arranged and extending longitudinally with respect to said bore or opening 206. It will also be noted that the cross part of the T of said grooves 228 is adjacent to and opens into the bore 206. When the thermostatic unit is in position in the bore 206, the wall 224 of the switch housing is positioned against a gasket 230 which lies between said wall and the adjacent end of the lug 204, which receives the thermostatic unit.

Means for securing the assembly (thermostat |60, housing 226 and switch |62) in position is also provided, and, as shown, comprises a spring latch 232 having one end secured at 234 to the top of the housing 226, said top being substantially flush with the top of the lug. The latch extends over the top of the lug and is provided with a hook-like end 236 which is received in a recess 238 in the top of said lug.

The grooves 228 and spring latch 232 serve not only to permit easy installation, and removal, of the unit, but prevent rotation of said unit relative to the brass, thereby preventing the housing from fouling the axle 202.

The switch end of the metallic thermostat element 2|6 is pivotally connected at 239 to a lever 240 in the housing 226, said lever being pivoted at 242 to a bracket 244 secured to the inner side of the fixed bottom wall portion 245 of said housing.

The opposite end of the lever 240 is pivotally connected to a second lever, which is the lever |64, by means oi link 248 and pivot pins 250. The end of lever |64, adjacent its connection with lever 240, is turned or twisted 90 at 252 and is secured to a bracket 254 by a pivot pin 250e or the like, said bracket being riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the top wall of the housing 226.

The housing 226 has a cover 256 which includes a part 251 forming the front wall of said housing 226, and a part 258 which forms a portion ofthe bottom wall of said housing. The part 251 is hinged at 259 so that the housing 226 may be opened for inspection, testing and/or repair of switch |62. The part 258 of the cover 256 is provided with a resilient spring latching member 260 adapted to engage a small boss 26| of the xed bottom wall portion 245. The cover 256 is therefore' releasably secured in the closed position.

Contact |66 is located within the housing 226 and is so positioned as to be contacted by lever |64, said contact |66 comprising a pair of resilient, spaced, winged contact members |66a (Fig. 9) secured to the lower end of a spring member 262 by rivets 264 or the like, the upper end of said spring member 262 being insulatably secured at 266 to the top wall of housing 226. The contact members |66a are insulated from the adjacent cover part 251 by an insulating stop 268 secured to said part 251. Wire |12 is soldered or otherwise suitably secured to spring member 262 and wire |10 is soldered or otherwise suitably secured to lever |64. Insulated wires |10 and |12 respectively are covered with material of different colors and both are incased in flexible insulating material forming cable 2I4. As the lever 262 is of resilient material it may be resilien-tly moved inwardly by hand so as to cause the contact |66 to engage the lever |64 for testing the unit after the cover 256 has been lifted or opened.

It is to be understood that the unit embodying the present invention comprises the thermostatic element, housing and switch contained therein, spring latches and a short section of flexible cable incasing the separately colored and covered w1res.

Should a hot box occur, heat from the journal brass 200 heats up the thermostatic unit and element 2 I6 expands more than its frame, resulting in the left hand end, as shown in Fig. '7, moving toward the left, through an opening provided therefor in housing 226 and causing the free end of lever 240 to move in a counterclockwise direction. This effects a clockwise movement of lever |64 until the free end thereof enters between the contact members |66a with a wiping movement thereby closing the switch |62 which, in the electrical system shown in the above referred to copending application, will effect, among other functions, the ringing of the alarm bell |52, as described in said copending application. The wiping movement of switch member |64 cleans the contacts of -corrosion and the like and thereby provides an effective and sure contact.

Upon cooling of element 2|6 the end thereof connected with the lever 240 retracts to draw said lever, and the lever |64, back to the normal open position.

In the alternative arrangement of the thermostatic journal box element shown in Figs. 10, l1 and l2, the thermostatic element is indicated at 212 and comprises a corrugated liquid lled, sealed tube which is shown as soldered or brased at the inner end, at 214, to the adjacent parts of the frame 2|1. The opposite end of the element 212 is provided with an axial rod 215 which projects through the opening provided therefor in housing 226 and has a hole 216 wherein adjacent its end for reception of a pin to provide a pivotal connection with the lever 240 for actuation thereof.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the thermostatic element is a bimetallic strip, indicated at 218, disposed in a tube 219 received in the opening 206 of the journal box brass. The tube 219 is provided at its inner end with a plug 260 having an oblong openingin which the inner end of the bi-metallic element 218 is secured in any suitable well known manner.

The free end of the element 218 has a pin and slot connection 282 with the adjacent end of twin levers or contact members |64a which are pivoted at 284, intermediate their ends, to the lower end of a supportingI strip 285, the upper end of said strip 285 being secured by rivets 281 or the like to the top wall of the housing 226. When the free end of thermostatic element 218 moves upwardly the free ends of levers |64a move in a counterclockwise direction for contacting, with a wiping action, the contact member |B6a. Contact member I66a is insulatably secured to housing 22611 at 226D and ground wire |10 is suitably secured to |64a whereas wire |12 is fastened into electrical contact with |66a.

Downward movement of the free end of the bi-metallic element 218 reverses the movement of lever |6|Ia and results in opening of the switch |62.

Iclaim:

1. In switch mechanism for a bearing part having a bore from which annularly spaced longitudinally extending grooves communicate: a temperature responsive device having a frame receivable in said bore and grooves respectively; a switch box connected to said frame; a switch within said box and actuated by said temperature responsive device uponv both heating and coolingI of said temperature responsive device; and a latch for said box adapted to engage a part of said bearing part for releasably securing said box and temperature responsive device in operative position with respect to said bearing part.

2. In switch mechanism for a bearing part having a bore therein and a latch engageable part: a temperature responsive device removably received in said bore and responsive to increase and decrease in temperature; a switch box to which said device is secured; a switch in said box operably connected with said temperature responsive device; and latch means having a latch member engageable with said latch engageable part for releasably securing said box to said bearing part.

3. In mechanism for detecting a hot bearing on railroad trains and the like wherein said bearing is provided with a longitudinally grooved chamber: a latch engageable part on -said bearing; and thermo-electric switch means including a frame; temperature responsive means within said frame; said frame with said temperature responsive means therein, being removably received in said grooved chamber and held in one position therein, portions of said frame being received within said grooves; a switch housing secured to said frame; an electric switch within said housing, said switch including two movable contacts and being controlled by said temperature responsive device in accordance with temperature changes to which said device is subjected; and. latch means for said switch for releasably engaging said latch engageable part of said bearing.

4. In a unitary thermo-electric switch means for detecting a fast heating bearing on railroad trains and the like, wherein a part of said bearing is provided with a longitudinally grooved charnber, and a latch engageable part on said bearing: 'a generally rectangular shaped switch housing; a hinged cover for said housing; an electric switch within said housing and including a pair of movable, slidably engageable contacts; a frame positioned adjacent said housing and removably received in said longitudinally grooved chamber; temperature responsive means mounted in said frame; a leverage system providing an operative connection between said temperature responsive means and one of said contacts, responses from said temperature responsive means being amplied by said leverage system to operate said one contact into and out of sliding engagement with the other Contact of said switch; a stop of insulating material on said cover for limiting movement of the other contact away from said one yContact when said cover is closed, said other contact being manually movable into engagement with said one contact when said cover is open; insulated electric conductors connected to said members; and cable means encasing said insulated conductors, said cable means extending outwardly of said switch housing.

LESLIE DAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 747,297 Bristol et al Dec. 15, 1903 1,239,450 Banneyer Sept. 11, 1917 1,330,892 Moloney Feb. 17, 1920 1,642,649 Fox Sept. 13, 1927 2,418,762 Dehn et al. Apr. 8, 1947 2,468,945 Sasser May 3, 1949 2,496,917 Poitras Feb. 7, 1950 2,565,073 Fuehring Aug. 21, 1951 

